Freshman midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy scaled the greased Herndon Monument on Wednesday, May 13, 2024 [4].
The annual event serves as a traditional rite of passage for the "plebes," signaling the formal conclusion of their first year at the academy [1, 5].
Members of the Class of 2029 [3] gathered at the Annapolis, Maryland campus to attempt the climb. The challenge requires students to scale a granite obelisk that has been coated in vegetable shortening to make the surface slippery [1, 2].
Reports on the total time required to complete the ritual vary slightly between sources. One report said the class finished the climb in two hours, 17 minutes, and 36 seconds [1]. Another source said the time was two hours, 19 minutes, and 11 seconds [2].
The event is a longstanding tradition designed to test the endurance and teamwork of the incoming class. Midshipmen must work together to reach the top of the monument despite the grease, a physical manifestation of the difficulties faced during their first year of training.
Once the final member of the class reaches the summit, the plebe year is officially considered over. This transition allows the students to move forward in their academic and military careers with a shared experience of struggle and success.
“The annual event serves as a traditional rite of passage for the "plebes."”
The Herndon Monument climb is more than a physical challenge; it is a psychological tool used by the U.S. Naval Academy to build cohesion. By forcing a diverse group of students to overcome a nearly impossible physical obstacle through collective effort, the institution reinforces the military value of teamwork over individual achievement before the students enter their sophomore year.
